diff --git a/build__common.sh b/build__common.sh
index 77792dd..3fa30c8 100644
--- a/build__common.sh
+++ b/build__common.sh
@@ -11,17 +11,27 @@ common_start() {
         deployment="${1:-${deployment:-}}"
         action="${action:-deploy}"
         persistence="${persistence:-y}"
+        idhub_branch="${idhub_branch:-main}"
 
         # detach on production deployment
         if [ "${deployment}" = 'prod' ]; then
                 detach='-d'
         fi
 
+        # TODO at some point it would be better to use pull-repos.sh
         # ensure uses main branch branch and that it is up to date
         (
                 cd ./IdHub
                 if [ -d .git ]; then
-                        git checkout main
+                        git checkout ${idhub_branch}
+                        git pull
+                fi
+        )
+
+        (
+                cd ./ssikit_trustchain
+                if [ -d .git ]; then
+                        git checkout master
                         git pull
                 fi
         )
diff --git a/build__instance-autotest.sh b/build__instance-autotest.sh
index 283866a..9c4b692 100755
--- a/build__instance-autotest.sh
+++ b/build__instance-autotest.sh
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ main() {
         target='instance-autotest'
         persistence='n'
         idhubs='idhub'
+        idhub_branch='release'
 
         common_start
 
diff --git a/build__instance-nightly.sh b/build__instance-nightly.sh
index 0fc72d6..c4de6dd 100755
--- a/build__instance-nightly.sh
+++ b/build__instance-nightly.sh
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ main() {
         target='instance-nightly'
         persistence='n'
         idhubs='idhub'
+        idhub_branch='release'
 
         common_start